Is an ongoing sleep disturbance typical of bipolar
disorder, or is that an indication that the bipolar is not being managed
properly? I have been pretty stable for a couple of months since a mixed
episode, meaning my mood is okay and my thinking is clear. But I still
feel like I don't need to sleep. I can sleep if I take enough trazodone (I'm currently taking 200mg), but I don't
get sleepy "naturally." I am uneasy about this because it seems like something
is "not right." My psychiatrist is not sure what to make of this, because
overall I am doing well and not having manic symptoms, but he thinks something
is "not right" too. Is this an indication that my mood stabilizers need
adjusting, or is this something that just needs to be managed with sleep meds
and isn't really a concern?

Dear Jodie--
Both you and the psychiatrist are looking at this sleep issue as though it
warrants concern, so my opinion may not add much (in general, I'm always
concerned about sleep deprivation, for whatever reason, in people with bipolar
disorder). And since I just suggested a non-medication sleep approach to the
last person with whom I corresponded this week here at Bipolar World, I might be
suspected as inappropriately promoting an untested therapy by doing so in the
very next letter! However, I'm still quite sure this approach cannot harm
someone (unless they break the plastic material and get a minor cut...), so here
goes, I'll send you there too: read about Bipolar
Disorder, Light and Darkness and check out the use of amber-lensed safety
glasses as a means of affecting sleep. Sounds pretty kooky but you'll see the
science behind it is very solid. If it works, it might be a very nifty way to
address the issue you raise here.